U.S. patent application number 10/113327 was filed with the patent office on 2003-10-02 for continuous flow dryer reservoir module dryer system.
Invention is credited to Eberling, Charles E., Hoffman, Fred W., Quinn, Leonard A..
Application Number | 20030183077 10/113327 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 28453573 |
Filed Date | 2003-10-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030183077 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hoffman, Fred W. ; et
al. |
October 2, 2003 |
CONTINUOUS FLOW DRYER RESERVOIR MODULE DRYER SYSTEM
Abstract
A continuous flow dryer system for compressed air includes first
and second air dryers for receiving and alternately drying
compressed air from a source. The dried air from the first dryer is
transmitted to the second dryer. First and second reservoirs store
the dried compressed air. A plurality of control valves in the
second air dryer are used for distributing the dried air to the
respective reservoirs.
Inventors: |
Hoffman, Fred W.; (Columbia
Station, OH) ; Eberling, Charles E.; (Wellington,
OH) ; Quinn, Leonard A.; (Lagrange, OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CALFEE HALTER & GRISWOLD, LLP
800 SUPERIOR AVENUE
SUITE 1400
CLEVELAND
OH
44114
US
|
Family ID: |
28453573 |
Appl. No.: |
10/113327 |
Filed: |
March 29, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
95/21 ; 95/96;
96/113; 96/121 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10S 55/17 20130101;
B60T 17/004 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
95/21 ; 95/96;
96/113; 96/121 |
International
Class: |
B01D 053/02 |
Claims
I/we claim:
1. A continuous flow dryer system for compressed air, comprising:
first and second air dryers for alternately drying compressed air
from a source, the dried air from the first dryer being transmitted
to the second dryer; first and second reservoirs for storing the
dried compressed air; and a plurality of control valves in the
second air dryer for distributing the dried air to the respective
reservoirs.
2. The continuous flow dryer system as set forth in claim 1,
wherein the first and second dryers are mounted to the first and
second reservoirs, respectively.
3. The continuous flow dryer system as set forth in claim 1,
wherein the control valves open for distributing the dried air as a
function of a pressure in the second dryer relative to the
pressures in the respective reservoirs.
4. The continuous flow dryer system as set forth in claim 3,
wherein the control valves are pressure protection valves.
5. The continuous flow dryer system as set forth in claim 3,
wherein the control valves are electronically controlled
valves.
6. The continuous flow dryer system as set forth in claim 3,
further including: a pressure controller sensing the pressure in
the second dryer; wherein if the pressure in the second dryer is
below a pressure controller threshold, the pressure controller
causes the source to deliver pressurized air to the dryers; and
wherein if the pressure in the second dryer is one of equal and
above the pressure controller threshold, the pressure controller
causes the source to cease delivering pressurized air to the
dryers.
7. The continuous flow dryer system as set forth in claim 6,
further including: a control module for alternating the dryers
between a dry cycle and a regeneration cycle and causing one of the
dryers to be in the dry cycle when the other dryer is in the
regeneration cycle.
8. The continuous flow dryer system as set forth in claim 7,
wherein each of the reservoirs includes a purge chamber, a portion
of the dried air being channeled to the purge chambers and being
used during the regeneration cycles of the dryers.
9. The continuous flow dryer system as set forth in claim 3,
wherein the pressure in the second dryer required for opening the
control valves becomes lower as the pressures in the respective
reservoirs increase.
10. The continuous flow dryer system as set forth in claim 1,
further including: a third reservoir for receiving and storing the
dried compressed air from the second dryer, each of the reservoirs
being used in conjunction with a respective compressed air
system.
11. A method for distributing dried compressed air from a
continuous flow dryer system to first and second storage
reservoirs, the method comprising: alternately drying compressed
air in first and second dryers; channeling the dried compressed air
from the first dryer to the second dryer; and distributing the
dried compressed air from the second dryer to the storage
reservoirs via a plurality of respective control valves.
12. The method for distributing dried compressed air from a
continuous flow dryer system as set forth in claim 11, wherein the
first and second dryers are mounted to the first and second
reservoirs, respectively, and each of the reservoirs includes a
purge chamber, the method further including: alternating the dryers
between dry cycles and regeneration cycles, one of the dryers being
in the dry cycle when the other dryer is in the regeneration cycle;
channeling a portion of the dried air from one of the dryers to the
respective purge chamber of the reservoir to which the dryer is
mounted during the drying cycles; and channeling the dried air from
one of the purge chambers through a desiccant of the dryer mounted
on the reservoir of the purge chamber during the regeneration
cycles.
13. The method for distributing dried compressed air from a
continuous flow dryer system as set forth in claim 11, wherein the
distributing includes: opening the control valves as a function of
pressures in the second dryer and in the respective reservoirs.
14. The method for distributing dried compressed air from a
continuous flow dryer system as set forth in claim 13, further
including: sensing the pressure in the second dryer; if the
pressure in the second dryer is below a predetermined threshold,
delivering pressurized air from the source to the dryers; and if
the pressure in the second dryer is one of equal and above the
predetermined threshold, ceasing delivery of the pressurized air
from the source to the dryers.
15. The method for distributing dried compressed air from a
continuous flow dryer system as set forth in claim 11, further
including: distributing the dried compressed air from the second
dryer to the third storage reservoir via a respective one of the
control valves, the compressed air in each of the reservoirs being
used in conjunction with a respective compressed air system.
16. A compressed air dryer system, comprising: a first reservoir
for storing compressed air; a first air dryer incorporated into the
first reservoir, the compressed air being dried by the first dryer
before being stored in the first reservoir; and means for
channeling the compressed dried air from the first dryer to the
first reservoir.
17. The compressed air system as set forth in claim 16, wherein the
means for channeling includes: a control valve.
18. The compressed air system as set forth in claim 16, wherein the
control valve is a pressure protection valve.
19. The compressed air system as set forth in claim 16, further
including: a second reservoir for storing the compressed air; a
second air dryer incorporated into the second reservoir, the first
and second dryers being alternately selected such that the
compressed air is dried by one of the dryers before being stored in
the reservoirs; and wherein the first and second dryers include
respective drying sections, the first dryer includes a distribution
section, and the compressed dried air from both of the drying
sections is supplied to the distribution section before being
channeled to one of the first and second reservoirs.
20. The compressed air system as set forth in claim 19, wherein the
means for channeling includes: a plurality of control valves each
being associated with one of the reservoirs.
21. The compressed air system as set forth in claim 20, wherein the
control valves open for channeling the compressed dried air as a
function of a pressure in the distribution section and of pressures
in the respective reservoirs.
22. The compressed air system as set forth in claim 19, further
including: a third reservoir for storing the dried compressed air
from the distribution section, the compressed air in the first and
second reservoirs being used in conjunction with braking systems
for a vehicle and the compressed air in the third reservoir being
used in conjunction with a tire inflation system for the
vehicle.
23. A compressed air dryer system, comprising: a first reservoir
for storing compressed air; a first air dryer secured to the
reservoir, the compressed air being dried by the first dryer before
being stored in the first reservoir; and a first control valve for
controlling a flow of the compressed dried air from the first dryer
to the first reservoir.
24. The compressed air system as set forth in claim 23, further
including: a second reservoir for storing the compressed air; a
second air dryer mounted to the second reservoir, the first and
second dryers being alternately selected such that the compressed
air is dried by one of the dryers before being stored in the
reservoirs; a second control valve for controlling a flow of the
compressed dried air from the first dryer to the second reservoir;
and wherein the compressed dried air from both of the dryers is
supplied to the first dryer before being channeled to one of the
first and second reservoirs.
25. The compressed air system as set forth in claim 23, wherein the
control valve is a pressure protection valve.
26. A mechanism for compensating for a depressurization of a
reservoir in a compressed air system, comprising: a first reservoir
for storing compressed air; a first air dryer secured to the first
reservoir, the compressed air being dried by the first dryer before
being stored in the first reservoir; and a first control valve
which opens for channeling the compressed dried air from the first
dryer to the first reservoir as a function of respective pressures
in the first dryer and the first reservoir.
27. The mechanism for compensating for a depressurization as set
forth in claim 26, further including: a second reservoir for
storing the compressed air; a second air dryer mounted to the
second reservoir, the first and second dryers being alternately
selected such that the compressed air is dried by one of the
dryers, the compressed air dried by the second dryer being
channeled to the first dryer; and a second control valve which
opens for channeling the compressed dried air from the first dryer
to the second reservoir as a function of respective pressures in
the first dryer and the second reservoir.
28. The mechanism for compensating for a depressurization as set
forth in claim 27, wherein if the pressure in one of the reservoirs
drops below a leak threshold, the respective control valve closes
to prevent communication between the first dryer and the reservoir.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to compressed fluid systems
for vehicles. It finds particular application in conjunction with
systems utilizing a pair of air dryers for removing moisture from
compressed air and will be described with particular reference
thereto. It will be appreciated, however, that the invention is
also amenable to other like applications.
[0002] Transit coaches and air-assisted bulk-off load units are
illustrative of compressed air systems used for operating brakes
and accessories (e.g., tire inflation systems) of vehicles (e.g.,
heavy-duty trucks, tractors, trailers, or tractor-trailer
combinations). Known air dryers cannot meet the demands of these
systems. More specifically, a desiccant material in the air dryer
becomes overwhelmed and saturated, ultimately resulting in loss of
function.
[0003] Continuous flow air dryers are used for air brake vehicle
applications where high air use calls for extended charging times
and high compressor duty cycles. Continuous flow systems,
therefore, typically use a pair of air dryers between a source of
compressed air and a storage reservoir. By occasionally purging air
to exhaust from an air dryer, the dryer (specifically, the
desiccant material) is regenerated and is more effective in
removing moisture during its next duty cycle. Accordingly,
switching arrangements that alternate the pair of air dryers
between charging the reservoir and purging (e.g., one air dryer is
regenerated while the other air dryer supplies dry air to the
reservoir) have been developed.
[0004] In current systems that alternate a pair of air dryers
between charge and purge modes, the dried air from each of the
dryers is transmitted to a common reservoir (e.g., a wet tank)
before being distributed to a plurality of storage reservoir. The
wet tank includes pressure protection means for ensuring one of the
reservoirs maintains a minimum threshold of pressure if another one
of the tanks is depressurized due to, for example, a leak.
[0005] Additionally, the dryers are mounted to a module that
controls the modes of the respective dryers. Such configurations
require heavy and/or bulky bracketry for securing the dryers to the
control module. The weight of the brackets may negatively affect
vehicle performance. Furthermore, the size of the brackets consume
a significant amount of critical space along the vehicle frame.
[0006] The present invention provides a new and improved apparatus
and method which address the above-referenced problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] A continuous flow dryer system for compressed air includes a
plurality of air dryers for alternately drying compressed air from
a source. The dried air from a first of the dryers is transmitted
to a second of the dryers before being distributed to a plurality
of reservoirs via a plurality of respective control valves in the
second air dryer.
[0008] In one embodiment of the invention, the continuous flow
dryer system for compressed air includes first and second air
dryers for alternately drying compressed air from a source. The
dried air from the first dryer is transmitted to the second dryer.
First and second reservoirs store the dried compressed air. A
plurality of control valves in the second air dryer are used for
distributing the dried air to the respective reservoirs.
[0009] In one aspect of the invention, the first and second dryers
are mounted to the first and second reservoirs, respectively.
[0010] In another aspect of the invention, the control valves open
for distributing the dried air as a function of a pressure in the
second dryer relative to the pressures in the respective
reservoirs.
[0011] In another aspect of the invention, the control valves are
pressure protection valves.
[0012] In another aspect of the invention, the control valves are
electronically controlled valves.
[0013] In another aspect of the invention, the pressure in the
second dryer required for opening the control valves becomes lower
as the pressures in the respective reservoirs increase.
[0014] In another aspect of the invention, a pressure controller
senses the pressure in the second dryer. If the pressure in the
second dryer is below a pressure controller threshold, the pressure
controller causes the source to deliver pressurized air to the
dryers. If the pressure in the second dryer is one of equal and
above the pressure controller threshold, the pressure controller
causes the source to cease delivering pressurized air to the
dryers.
[0015] In another aspect of the invention, a control module causes
the dryers to alternate between a dry cycle and a regeneration
cycle such that one of the dryers is in the dry cycle when the
other dryer is in the regeneration cycle.
[0016] In another aspect of the invention, each of the reservoirs
includes a purge chamber. A portion of the dried air is channeled
to the purge chambers and is used during the regeneration cycles of
the dryers.
[0017] In another aspect of the invention, a third reservoir
receives and stores the dried compressed air from the second dryer.
Each of the reservoirs is used in conjunction with a respective
compressed air system.
[0018] In another embodiment of the present invention, a compressed
air dryer system includes a first reservoir for storing compressed
air, a first air dryer incorporated into the first reservoir, and a
means for channeling the compressed dried air from the first dryer
to the first reservoir. The compressed air is dried by the first
dryer before being stored in the first reservoir.
[0019] In another embodiment of the present invention, a compressed
air dryer system includes a first reservoir for storing compressed
air and a first air dryer secured to the first reservoir. The
compressed air is dried by the first dryer before being stored in
the first reservoir. A first control valve controls a flow of the
compressed dried air from the first dryer to the first
reservoir.
[0020] In another embodiment of the present invention, a mechanism
for compensating for a depressurization of a reservoir in a
compressed air system includes a first reservoir for storing
compressed air. A first air dryer is secured to the first
reservoir. The compressed air is dried by the first dryer before
being stored in the first reservoir. A first control valve opens
for channeling the compressed dried air from the first dryer to the
first reservoir as a function of respective pressures in the first
dryer and the first reservoir.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] In the accompanying drawings which are incorporated in and
constitute a part of the specification, embodiments of the
invention are illustrated, which, together with a general
description of the invention given above, and the detailed
description given below, serve to exemplify the embodiments of this
invention.
[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary diagram of a continuous flow
dryer system in accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention; and
[0023] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the dryers and the
reservoirs in accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS
[0024] Illustrated in FIG. 1 is an exemplary diagram of a
continuous flow dryer system 100 for compressed air in one
embodiment of the present invention. The system 100 includes an air
compressor 110, which is typically powered by an engine of an
automotive vehicle with which the system is associated. A
reciprocating-type compressor having a rotating crankshaft is
typically used. However, it is to be understood that any other type
of known compressor may be incorporated into the system without
departing from the scope and intent of the present invention.
[0025] The compressor 110 delivers pressurized air to a supply line
112 via a port 116. To prevent damage to the compressor 110, a
safety valve 112 vents the pressurized air from the compressor 110
to atmosphere if the supply line 112 is blocked. Disposed in the
supply lines 112a, 112b are first and second air dryers 120, 122,
respectively. As illustrated, the dryers 120, 122 are disposed so
that fluid (e.g., air) flowing through the supply line 112 may pass
through either one or both of the air dryers 120, 122. In one
embodiment, the first dryer 120 is mounted (e.g., secured) to a
first reservoir 124 (e.g., a primary reservoir), and the second
dryer 122 is mounted to a second reservoir 126 (e.g., a secondary
reservoir). It is also contemplated in another embodiment that the
dryers 120, 122 be integrated into the reservoirs 124, 126. The
first and second reservoirs 124, 126 include respective purge
chambers 130, 132 (see FIG. 2). The purge chambers 130, 132
communicate with the dryers 120, 122 via respective passages 134,
136 (see FIG. 2) and orifices 324, 326 (see FIG. 2).
[0026] The first dryer 120 includes a supply port 140, which
communicates with the air compressor 110, a delivery port 142, and
a control terminal 144. The first reservoir 124 includes a supply
port 146 and a plurality of delivery ports 150 for delivering
compressed air from the first reservoir to various compressed air
systems within, for example, a vehicle. In the illustrated
embodiment, the first reservoir 124 includes three (3) delivery
ports 150a, 150b, 150c. However, in other embodiments, it is
contemplated that the first reservoir 124 include any other number
of delivery ports.
[0027] The second dryer 122 includes a supply port 152, which
communicates with the air compressor 110, a receiving port 154,
which communicates with the delivery port 142 of the first dryer
120, a plurality of delivery ports 156, and a control terminal 160.
In the illustrated embodiment, the second dryer 122 includes four
(4) delivery ports 156a, 156b, 156c, 156d for delivering compressed
air from the second dryer 122 to the second reservoir 126 and
various compressed air systems within, for example, a vehicle.
However, in other embodiments, it is contemplated that the second
dryer 122 include any other number of delivery ports. The delivery
port 156a communicates with the supply port 146 of the first
reservoir 124. Additional reservoirs 162, 164 communicate with the
second dryer 122 via the delivery ports 156b, 156c. Although two
(2) additional reservoirs 162, 164 are illustrated, it is to be
understood that any number of additional reservoirs are
contemplated. The second reservoir 126 communicates with the second
dryer 122 via an internal passage 166 (see FIG. 2)and the delivery
port 156d (see FIG. 2).
[0028] In one embodiment, the first and second reservoirs 124, 126
are used for braking systems within a vehicle. For example, the
first and second reservoirs 124, 126 are used for braking rear and
front wheels, respectively, of the vehicle. Furthermore, the
additional reservoirs 162, 164 are used for supplying compressed
air to auxiliary systems on the vehicle. For example, a tire
inflation system may draw compressed air from the reservoir 162,
while another auxiliary system may draw compressed air from the
reservoir 164.
[0029] The structure and operation of the dryers 120, 122 and the
reservoirs 124, 126 is discussed in more detail below with
reference to FIG. 2.
[0030] A continuous flow module 170 supplies control signals to the
control terminals 144, 160. More specifically, the module 170
causes the dryers 120, 122 to alternately dry air received via the
supply line 112. In other words, the module 170 alternates each of
the dryers 120, 122 between a dry cycle (mode) and a regeneration
cycle (mode). Furthermore, the module 170 ensures one of the dryers
(e.g., the dryer 120) is in the dry cycle while the other dryer
(e.g., the dryer 122) is in the regeneration cycle. During the
regeneration cycle, the air in one of the purge chambers 130, 132
is used for drying a desiccant in its respective dryer 120,
122.
[0031] An input port 172 of the module 170 communicates with an
output port 174 of the second dryer 122. In this manner, a pressure
at the output port 174 is communicated to the input port 172 via a
line 176. The same pressure is also transmitted to a pressure
controller 180 via a line 182. In one embodiment, the pressure
controller 180 includes a governor 184 and a valve 186 for
amplifying the effects of the governor 184. More specifically,
supply ports 190, 192 of the governor 184 and the valve 186,
respectively, receive the pressure from the line 182. Control lines
194 communicate control signals to the module 170 and valve 186.
Furthermore, the valve 186 communicates a control signal to
unloaders of the compressor 110 via a control line 196.
[0032] Illustrated in FIG. 2 is a diagram highlighting the dryers
120, 122 and the reservoirs 124, 126, 162, 164 in one embodiment of
the present invention. FIG. 2 is merely a schematic diagram
intended to illustrate the functional operation of the dryers. U.S.
Pat. Nos. 5,917,139 and 6,074,462, which are incorporated herein by
reference, illustrate the structural features of a typical air
dryer. With reference to FIG. 2, the supply line 112 feeds
compressed air into the dryers 120, 122 via the parallel supply
lines 112a, 112b, respectively. The dryer 120 includes an air
drying section 310, which includes a desiccant material 312, and an
air distribution section 314. Similarly, the second dryer 122
includes an air drying section 316, which includes a desiccant
material 320, and an air distribution section 322.
[0033] Compressed air entering the drying sections 310, 316 from
the supply lines 112a, 112b, respectively, is assumed to be
unconditioned (e.g., the compressed air in the supply line 112 may
contain an unacceptable level of moisture). Therefore, once the
compressed air enters the dryers 120, 122, the moisture level in
the compressed air is reduced to an acceptable level within the
drying sections 310, 316. More specifically, the drying sections
310, 316 include components (not shown) in addition to the
desiccant materials 312, 320 for drying the compressed air
according to known methods. Therefore, after passing through the
desiccant materials 312, 320 and into the distribution chambers
314, 322, the compressed air is assumed to be conditioned (e.g.,
dried to an acceptable level).
[0034] A portion of the conditioned air received into the
distribution chamber 314 passes into the purge chamber 130 via the
orifice 324 in the passage 134 when the dryer 120 is not in the
regeneration cycle; then, during the regeneration cycle, the
orifice 324 allows compressed air to pass from the purge chamber
130 into the distribution section 314 for regenerating the
desiccant 312. It is to be understood the purge chamber 132 stores
a portion of the conditioned compressed air entering the
distribution chamber 322 via the passage 136 and the orifice 326
for regenerating the desiccant material 320 in a similar
manner.
[0035] The portion of the conditioned compressed air in the
distribution chamber 314 that does not pass into the purge chamber
130 is channeled into the distribution chamber 322 via the ports
142, 154. Therefore, the distribution chamber 322 includes
conditioned pressurized air from both the first and second dryers
120, 122.
[0036] Control valves 330, 332, 334, 336 are positioned in the
ports 156a, 156b, 156c, 156d, respectively. In one embodiment the
control valves are contemplated to be pressure protection valves.
However, in other embodiments, the control valves are also
contemplated to be electronically controlled valves (e.g.,
solenoids) controlled by electronic logic circuits. The pressurized
air in the distribution chamber 322 is upstream to each of the
control valves 330, 332, 334, 336. Therefore, the control valves
330, 332, 334, 336 act as means for distributing the conditioned
compressed air in the distribution chamber 322 to the first
reservoir 124, the additional reservoirs 162, 164, and the second
reservoir 126, respectively. In other words, the control valves
330, 332, 334, 336 control a flow of the conditioned compressed air
from the distribution chamber 322 to the first reservoir 124, the
additional reservoirs 162, 164, and the second reservoir 126,
respectively.
[0037] The control valves 330, 332, 334, 336 distribute the
conditioned compressed air from the distribution chamber 322 to the
first reservoir 124, the additional reservoirs 162, 164, and the
second reservoir 126, respectively, as a function of a pressure in
the distribution section 322 relative to pressures in the
respective reservoirs 124, 126, 162, 164. More specifically, higher
pressures in the reservoirs 124, 126, 162, 164 cause the control
valves 330, 332, 334, 336, respectively, to open when less pressure
is present in the distribution chamber 322. Each of the control
valves 330, 332, 334, 336 operates independently of the other
control valves 330, 332, 334, 336. Therefore, a leak in any of the
reservoirs 124, 126, 162, 164 causes the control valve 330, 332,
334, 336 associated with that reservoir to close while the other
valves 330, 332, 334, 336 may remain open.
[0038] For purposes of illustration, each of the control valves
330, 332, 334, 336 may be set to open when an upstream pressure is
about 106.+-.3 pounds/inch.sup.2 ("psi") and the respective
downstream pressures in the reservoirs 124, 126, 162, 164 is about
zero (0) psi. In this case, the valves 330, 332, 334, 336 remain
closed until the pressure in the distribution section 322 builds to
about 106.+-.3 psi. More specifically, one or more of the valves
330, 332, 334, 336 may open between about 103 psi and about 106 psi
while the other valves open between about 106 psi and about 109
psi. Once a first of the valves (e.g., 330) opens, the pressure in
the distribution section 322 drops as the associated reservoir
(e.g., the first reservoir 124) fills with the dried compressed
air. After the first of the reservoirs (e.g., the first reservoir
124) reaches about 106.+-.3 psi, a second of the valves (e.g., 332)
opens. Then, the pressures in the first reservoir 124 and the
distribution section 322 drop as the associated reservoir (e.g.,
the second reservoir 126) fills with the dried compressed air. This
process repeats until all of the reservoirs 124, 126, 162, 164
reach a desired maximum pressure (e.g., a cut-off pressure of about
130.+-.5 psi).
[0039] Once all of the reservoirs reach the desired maximum
pressure (e.g., all the reservoirs have a pressure .gtoreq. about
130.+-.5 psi), the control valves 330, 332, 334, 336 remain open
unless any of the downstream pressures (e.g., the pressures in the
reservoirs 124, 126, 162, 164) drops below a predetermined closing
pressure (e.g., about 90 psi). For example, one of the reservoirs
may be depressurized due to a leak; for this reason the closing
pressure is also referred to as a leak threshold. Furthermore, the
pressure controller 180 (see FIG. 1) (e.g., the governor 184 (see
FIG. 1)) causes the compressor 110 (see FIG. 1) to cease delivering
pressurized air to the dryers 120, 122 (see FIG. 1).
[0040] If any of the reservoirs (e.g., 124) depressurizes due, for
example, to a leak and all of the control valves 330, 332, 334, 336
are open, pressurized air is lost from all of the reservoirs 124,
126, 162, 164. More specifically, pressure is lost from the first
reservoir 124 because of the leak; furthermore, pressure is lost
from the other reservoirs 126, 162, 164 via the distribution
section 322 and the first reservoir 124. Once any of the control
valves 330, 332, 334, 336 detect pressures in the reservoirs 124,
126, 162, 164 below the closing pressure, the respective valves
330, 332, 334, 336 close. In this case, the pressure controller 180
(e.g., the governor 184 (see FIG. 1)) senses the pressure in the
distribution section 322 is below a predetermined governor
threshold level, and the valve 186 (see FIG. 1) causes the
compressor 110 (see FIG. 1) to charge and create more pressurized
air.
[0041] Once the compressed air is dried and enters the distribution
section 322, the process described above begins again to attempt to
fill the reservoirs 124, 126, 162, 164 up to approximately an
opening pressure of the control valve (e.g., 330) associated with
the reservoir 124 having the leak. As discussed above, higher
pressures in any of the reservoirs 124, 126, 162, 164 cause the
respective control valves 330, 332, 334, 336 to open with less
pressure in the distribution chamber 322. Therefore, because the
pressure in the reservoir (e.g., 124) with the leak is about zero
(0) psi and, furthermore, because there is still pressure (e.g.,
about 90 psi) in the other reservoirs (e.g., 126, 162, 164), the
control valve (e.g., 330) associated with the reservoir (e.g., 124)
only opens after all the other valves 332, 334, 336 have opened.
Because the control valve 124 opens, even if only for a relatively
short time, pressure in the surviving reservoirs (e.g., 126, 162,
164) is maintained between about the predetermined closing pressure
(e.g., 90 psi) and about the opening pressure (e.g., 106.+-.3 psi)
of the control valve (e.g., 330) associated with the reservoir
(e.g., 124). In this sense, the compressed air system compensates
for the leak in the reservoir.
[0042] While the present invention has been illustrated by the
description of embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have
been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of
the applicants to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the
appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and
modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art.
Therefore, the invention, in its broader aspects, is not limited to
the specific details, the representative apparatus, and
illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures
may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or
scope of the applicant's general inventive concept.
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